Following through on earlier pronouncements, the Trump administration announced Thursday it will reopen ocean waters off the Pacific Coast to oil drilling leases, generating rapid opposition from California officials and environmentalists.

The announcement by the U.S. Department of the Interior called it an effort to address the nation's "growing energy needs'' and :boost United States energy independence and sustain domestic oil and gas production.''

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The directive calls for the potential lease of 34 offshore drilling sites between 2026 and 2031 -- 21 off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of America and six along the Pacific Coast.

"Offshore oil and gas production does not happen overnight. It takes years of p

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